The 20 Most Important Cars of the 2016 Detroit Auto Show

The new rides you need to know at this year's North American International Auto Show.

1 of 20

Ben Stewart

2016 BMW M2

As BMWs M performance cars have grown in size and power, they've left a vacuum for fans of high-performance small cars. Five years ago, the 1-Series M Coupe was a mighty mite—a tiny 335-hp powerhouse that hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Now the new M2 takes that formula and applies it to BMW's 2-Series. The 3.0-liter turbocharged six makes 365 hp and can be optioned with either a dual-clutch automatic or (yippee!) a six-speed manual. BMW says the new coupe should run to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds.

Speed is only part of the formula. Those blistered fenders make room for a wider track and giant 19-inch rubber. This machine should be a blast to drive when it arrives this spring at just over $50,000.

2 of 20

Ben Stewart

2016 Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S

Someday soon, every Porsche will use a turbocharger. It's already happened to the 911. Both the 2016 911 Carrera and Carrera S uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter flat sixes in place of the larger, normally aspirated engines of the previous model. The result is more power (420 hp on S models) and a broader spread of torque.

So where exactly does that leave the 911 Turbo (with a capital T) model? Well the 3.8-liter engine from the previous model remains, but the horsepower has been raised to 540 on the Turbo and 580 hp on the Turbo S. And that should help drop 0-60 mph times down to a ridiculous 2.8 seconds for the S. Inside, there's a new steering wheel and some subtle updates. Expect the most expensive versions of this insanely talented sports car, the Turbo S Cabriolet, to start at just over $200,000.

3 of 20

Ben Stewart

2016 Volvo S 90

Volvo is on a roll. The company's new XC90 three-row SUV is racking up accolades, most recently winning the North American Truck/Utility of the year. The handsome S90 is basically the sedan version of that SUV. Both use Volvos's all-new and highly flexible chassis. The sedan rides on a 115.8-inch wheelbase, two-inches shorter than the XC90. Under the hood is the same 2.0-liter 317-hp turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine paired to an 8-speed automatic.

On the inside, Volvo has packed the S90 with even more posh furnishings than the XC90, including an artful chrome spine around the dash, delicate "air blade" vents, and beautiful woods. Taking center stage is a large touchscreen display to handle infotainment duties. Speaking of tech, when Volvo's new large sedan hits the road later this year, it could be one of the least-expensive cars to have a semi-autonomous driving mode. Volvo's autonomous Pilot Assist system will be standard, as will a full suite of safety features. It's still a Volvo after all.

4 of 20

Ben Stewart

2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz likes to link the designs of its sedans. For example, the C-Class looks like a smaller, tidier version of the company's flagship S-Class. But for years, the E-Class has blazed its own design path. No more, as the 2017 E-Class now takes the silhouette and style of Mercedes-Benz's other sedans.

The base model will use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired to a 9-speed automatic. A C350 plug-in hybrid offers 275 hp and nearly 20 miles of electric-only range. But that more efficient option will share showroom space with an all-conquering E63 AMG that we hear will make close to 600 hp.

The new E-Class promises a more rewarding drive on backroads without sacrificing the comfort that made this sedan famous. Features like the new optional Air Body Control suspension will make sure of that. Like any new models today, Mercedes will offer a semi-autonomous Drive Pilot feature. And the list of tech pioneered on this car is a long one, with features like "Car to X" communication that can help the Benz to "see" obstacles and accidents well before arriving at them. On the inside, the new E-Class is a stunner, with an interior so luxurious it might be one of the finest fitted to any sedan priced south of $100,000.

5 of 20

Ben Stewart

2018 Lexus LC 500

The original Lexus SC 300 and 400 coupes of the early 1990s were handsome, quick, and built with such durability they helped to forge the company's reputation for quality. The new LC is a bit of a spiritual successor to that car, but distilled into a much sportier package.

The 500 is based on the 2012 LF-LC concept, and Lexus kept the stunning design of that show car nearly intact. Beneath the metal is an all-new next-generation rear-drive luxury architecture. This LC is the stiffest structure Lexus has ever produced, so it should handle exceptionally. This flagship coupe packs a robust 5.0-liter V8 packing 467 horsepower, and it's paired to a 10-speed automatic. Lexus says the powertrain is potent enough to help the LC hit 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds. In short, this new LC 500 just might have the chops to hang with sports cars cars like the Porsche 911 and Mercedes-Benz AMG GT. That's new territory for Lexus.

6 of 20

Ben Stewart

2017 Lincoln Continental

The Continental nameplate, which lasted for 50 years, was last worn by a Lincoln in 2002. The new Continental was of the most highly anticipated reveals of the show and that's because the success or failure of this large sedan could decide the future of Lincoln. The lagging brand's sales were up 17 percent last year and this new sedan should help maintain that momentum.

This new Continental plants a stake firmly in 2016, using standard all-wheel drive and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with 400 horsepower. Though the Lincoln's styling appears handsomely conservative, the company has a few cool tricks. The door handles are integrated into the top of the door just below the window to keep the car's bodyside clean. And those doors "pop" open nearly silently, according to Lincoln.

On the inside the Continental is modern and luxurious with doors that close quietly, seats that offer individual thigh bolster adjustability, and an overall experience that Lincoln promises will offer effortless power and serenity. Look for this Lincoln in the fall. And with SUVs and crossovers out-selling sedans these days, we wouldn't be surprised to see a large crossover version of this car coming soon.

7 of 20

Ben Stewart

2017 Genesis G90

Since the Genesis luxury sedan first appeared in 2008, many onlookers in the industry suspected Hyundai might some day turn the Genesis name into an entire luxury division for Hyundai. That day has finally arrived, and the very first Genesis-branded model will be the new G90, the replacement for Hyundai's flagship Equus sedan.

The new G90 is reserved, understated and handsome. To our eye, it borrows part of the arcing roofline of today's Mercedes-Benz S-Class. A good choice. The G90 uses a 3.3-liter V6 with 365 hp or a 420-hp V8 to power the rear wheels. This is a big, roomy sedan that will compete (at a lower price point) with cars like the aforementioned S-Class as well as the BMW 7-series and Audi A8.

It will be interesting to see what Hyundai cars migrate to the Genesis brand and what all-new models the company will introduce. You can bet luxury crossovers of all sizes will be a top priority.

8 of 20

Ben Stewart

2017 Infiniti Q60 Sports Coupe

One look at the roofline of the new Q60 and you can see it's a heavily redesigned version of the previous Infiniti G37 Coupe. The remodel provides the Q60 with plenty of muscle, along with blistered sheetmetal and an aggressive stance. A 208 hp turbocharged four-cylinder (shared with Mercedes-Benz) comes standard, while sportier models receive a serious boost in horsepower from two versions of an all-new turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. One delivers 300 horsepower and the top model hits hard with 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. All these engines are paired to a seven-speed automatic and send power to either the rear or all four wheels.

Like the Q50 sedan that shares its mechanical makeup, the Q60 uses an optional Direct Adaptive steering system, an electric steering system that allows six different steering response modes so drivers can choose the steering feel that fits their driving style.

9 of 20

Ben Stewart

Buick Avista Concept

Buick has a storied history of producing wild show cars that stretches back to 1938 and the industry's first concept car, the Buick Y-Job. For the last two years, Buick bought back the tradition. Last year saw the gorgeous Avenir flagship concept sedan, one of the best of the 2015 Detroit show. This year, the sporty Avista points to a serious performance future for Buick.

The Avista concept rides on the same rear-drive chassis as the Chevrolet Camaro, so it's would be feasible for GM to make this car a reality. But instead of the Camaro's V8, this Avista carries a 400-hp twin-turbo V6 under its hood. The idea of a high performance turbocharged Buick harkens back to the Grand National and GNX Coupes of the 1980s—some of the quickest of the period. So we hope this one gets built. The muscular Avista is easily one of the prettiest cars at the show.

10 of 20

Ben Stewart

2017 Chevy Bolt

The Bolt aims to add some serious range and practicality to the electric car landscape. It's a roomy five-passenger EV that promises a 200-mile range thanks to a massive 60-kWh battery pack that weighs almost 1,000 pounds and rides below the floor, extending back the rear seat. The Bolt will be relatively quick too, hitting 60 mph in less than 7 seconds thanks to the electric motor that delivers 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Chevy says the Bolt can be charged to deliver 90 miles of range in just 30 minutes using DC Fast Charge. Impressive.

The Bolt is relatively spacious, too, with plenty of legroom in the rear seat. The forward-looking interior includes a huge 10.2-inch central screen to control infotainment functions, not unlike a Tesla. Chevy's exemplary electric range means this could be the first affordable EV that can comfortably handle 100-plus-mile road trips, like driving from Los Angeles to San Diego without stopping to re-charge.

11 of 20

Ben Stewart

2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG S65 Cabriolet

Bentley, along with the British brands Land Rover, Jaguar, and Mini, didn't come to Detroit this year. So this Mercedes-Benz AMG S65 Cabriolet is the largest, most powerful, and most expensive car unveiled. The elegant $200,000-plus cabriolet packs AMG's stunning 623-hp 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 churning out a ridiculous 738 lb-ft of torque. That's diesel truck torque territory, and enough to move this Benz to 60 in four seconds flat and on to almost 190 mph. The S65 has it's own wheel design to separate it from lesser S-Class cars. Inside are diamond pattern leather seats, heated armrests and Mercedes Airscarf that keeps necks toasty with warm air when the top is down.

12 of 20

Ben Stewart

2016 VLF Force 1

VLF is a joint automotive venture comprised of former GM Chairman Bob Lutz, manufacturer Gilbert Villarreal, and designer Henrick Fisker. The company's latest vehicle is a coupe built from the bones of the Dodge Viper: the Force 1 supercar. Fisker designed the Force 1 with a full carbon fiber body and the Viper's V10 tuned to an insane 745 hp. VLF says the active suspension system is tuned to produce serious lap times around a track while also providing a supple ride around town.

The Force 1 will be built in Auburn Hills, Michigan and will cost $268,000. That's extraordinarily expensive for a rebodied Viper, but the company says it will make just 50 of these cars. If you're a collector of rare rides, get ready to open your wallet.

13 of 20

Ben Stewart

2017 Chevy Cruze Hatchback

GM has seen some luck expanding its footprint in Europe, and one certain way to further the popularity of the Chevy brand overseas is to add a hatchback. Hatchbacks are just smarter than sedans, and they're beloved in Europe. Not only do they look cool, but they also offer much more room inside for gear and people.

The overall dimensions of the Cruze hatchback are basically unchanged, but thanks to the liftgate, there's almost 19 cu-ft of trunk space with the seats in place and almost 50 cu-ft when the rear seat is folded down. That's close to the cargo hauling capacity of some small crossovers.

14 of 20

Ben Stewart

Acura Precision Concept

Acura will celebrate its 30th anniversary in March. Looking back on its lineup of cars from three decades ago, its hard not to get a little nostalgic over nameplates like the Integra and Legend. Well, Acura wants to return to its roots, delivering what the company calls "precision crafted performance." What that means we're not exactly sure. But we do know this Precision concept charts a new course for the brand both in terms of performance and design.

The Precision Concept is a massive, voluptuous luxury sport sedan. Acura couldn't confirm if this concept would ever reach production, but officials they call it a "roadmap for new design" and said the concept's grille treatment would appear on a production Acura very soon.

15 of 20

Ben Stewart

2017 Audi Allroad

The idea of a raised-up all-wheel-drive station wagon that can handle deep snow and dirt roads is one Subaru pioneered with the Outback nearly 20 years ago. Audi followed suit with its first-generation Allroad back in 2004, and it's been a solid seller for the brand. The latest one, based on the all-new Audi A4's MLB platform, raises the ride by about an inch and over conventional A4s. Under the hood is a potent 2.0-liter with 272 hp connected to an 8-speed automatic, and of course Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system. A new off-road mode alters throttle and transmission mapping to make traversing poorly maintained two-tracks or snowy climes an easier chore.

16 of 20

Ben Stewart

Lexus LF-FC Concept

The Lexus LF-FC Concept made its world debut at the Tokyo Motor Show back in October, but this is the first time the sedan has come to our shores. Lexus's flagship LS sedan lineup hasn't been redesigned completely since 2007, and in the automotive world, that's far too long. This luxury sedan concept hints at what the next-generation car will look like, and on the show floor, it's stunning.

The long-wheelbase and sleek profile make the sedan appear more Italian than Japanese. Although the concept is said to use a fuel cell powertrain channeled through an all-wheel drive system, expect the production car to use a more conventional gas powertrain as well as an optional hybrid system. However, the automated driving tech on board this concept is likely to take a central role in the next-generation production LS.

17 of 20

Ben Stewart

2017 Ford GT

Ford's sexy GT Concept made its debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show and floored the media. The gorgeous supercar will go on sale later this year, and this is the first time we've seen the car in white with a production interior. In fact Ford built a complete half size model of the GT's interior to give show attendees a taste of what it's like on the inside.

Ford wants the GT to be a Ferrari-killer, so it uses a modified 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 that generates more than 600 horsepower. Ford has already built the race version that it will compete with in both the IMSA Weather Tech Sports Car Championship series here in the U.S. and the FIA World Endurance Championship globally, including the 24 hours of Le Mans in June.

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Ben Stewart

2017 Kia Forte5

Kia's compact Forte sedan and Forte5 hatchback get a mild freshening up for the 2017 model year. The modest improvements really make a difference for the Forte, though, which was last redesigned back in 2013. Up front, the sleeker shape to the headlights wrap up onto the fenders. The grille is wider and reminiscent of Kia's larger Optima sedan. Taillights are refined, too. Even base LX models can be optioned with safety tech like blind spot warning and rear-cross traffic alert.

The 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in top SX-level models is now paired to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. And though horsepower and fuel economy numbers were not available on the show floor, we expect both will increase.

19 of 20

Ben Stewart

Audi h-tron Quattro Concept

Audi is poised to unveil a batch of new EVs in the coming years, but this new h-tron concept is meant to showcase the company's progress in hydrogen fuel cell technology. Audi is now in its fifth generation of fuel cell tech, and this concept can travel up to 372.8 miles before re-filling its tanks. The twin electric motors deliver power to all four wheels, so it's a true Quattro. And Audi says the h-tron can hit 60 mph in under seven seconds. That's not too bad for a fairly large zero-emissions fuel cell vehicle.

The concept also foreshadows the upcoming production Q6 as well as the use of the autonomous driving system that Audi says will be able to take over driving tasks at speeds up to almost 40 mph. It will debut on the next-generation flagship A8 sedan that is due to begin production in 2017.

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Ben Stewart

2017 Ford Fusion

The Fusion is a huge moneymaker for Ford. This is the family sedan of choice for more than 300,000 Americans. Next year's revised Fusion has updated head and tail lamps as well as new grilles for each trim level.

Inside, the center console has been redesigned to make more room for cupholders and storage. That was accomplished by replacing the conventional shifter with a knob. Performance fans will appreciate the new Sport model that packs a lusty 325-hp Ecoboost V6, all-wheel drive, and a sport-tuned chassis. Expect those most potent models to hit dealership floors with stickers starting just under $35,000.

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